Growing in Faith Through Practice and Persistence

Devotional

Day 1: Being Rooted and Built Up in Christ

To grow in faith and withstand the distractions and temptations of the world, it is essential to be deeply rooted in Christ. Just as a tree draws strength and nourishment from its roots, a life anchored in Jesus provides stability and resilience, especially when faced with challenges or enticing alternatives. This rootedness is not a one-time event but a continual process of living in Him, being strengthened in faith, and overflowing with gratitude. When you are firmly grounded in Christ, you are less likely to be swayed by hollow philosophies or fleeting trends, and more likely to remain steadfast in your walk with God. [27:03]

Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: What is one daily practice you can commit to this week that will help you become more deeply rooted in Christ, even when life gets busy or distracting?

Day 2: Practice Makes Perfect in Faith

Anything worthwhile in life, including faith, requires consistent practice. Just as learning to solve a Rubik’s Cube or maintaining a friendship takes repeated effort, so does growing in your relationship with God. Attending worship, praying, reading Scripture, and serving others are not just religious duties but opportunities to strengthen your spiritual muscles. Over time, these practices become more natural and instinctive, helping you to stay close to God even when it feels difficult or unfamiliar. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect—what matters is your willingness to keep trying and growing. [14:52]

Hebrews 5:14 (ESV)
"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

Reflection: What spiritual discipline feels most challenging for you right now, and how can you take one small step today to practice it with intention?

Day 3: Sincerity Matters More Than Perfection

God values the sincerity of your heart over the eloquence or perfection of your actions. Whether you are praying, worshiping, or serving, what matters most is your genuine desire to connect with God and others. Even if you feel inadequate or inexperienced, your honest efforts are precious to God. Over time, as you continue to show up with authenticity, you will find yourself growing more comfortable and confident in your faith journey. Don’t let fear of imperfection hold you back from drawing near to God. [38:41]

1 Samuel 16:7b (ESV)
"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

Reflection: In what area of your faith do you feel most self-conscious or inadequate, and how can you offer your sincere heart to God in that area today?

Day 4: Staying in Love with God Requires Intentional Habits

Remaining in love with God is not a passive experience but one that is cultivated through intentional habits and regular practices. Just as John Wesley encouraged attending to the ordinances of God—prayer, worship, communion, and acts of service—these habits help you stay grounded and connected to Christ. Building these habits takes time and persistence, but as they become part of your daily rhythm, they shape your character and deepen your relationship with God. Even when you don’t see immediate results, trust that your faith is being strengthened with every step. [34:20]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: Which spiritual habit do you want to nurture more intentionally, and what specific time or place can you set aside this week to practice it?

Day 5: Encouraging One Another in the Journey of Faith

Faith is not meant to be lived in isolation; we are called to support, encourage, and build one another up as we grow together in Christ. Sharing joys and concerns, praying for each other, and gathering in community help us stay focused and resilient, especially when life gets tough. When you surround yourself with others who are also seeking to follow Jesus, you find strength, accountability, and joy in the journey. Together, you can weather storms, celebrate victories, and remind each other of God’s faithfulness. [22:30]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Who in your church or community could use encouragement today, and how can you reach out to support or pray for them in a tangible way?

Sermon Summary

Life is full of things that require practice, from solving a Rubik’s Cube to building strong friendships, and faith is no different. Just as it takes repeated effort to master a puzzle or maintain a relationship, growing in faith demands intentional, ongoing practice. The Christian journey isn’t about instant perfection or comparing ourselves to others who seem to have it all together. Instead, it’s about being rooted in Christ, building habits that keep us close to God, and encouraging one another along the way.

Paul’s words to the Colossians remind us to continue living our lives in Christ, being “rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” This rooting doesn’t happen overnight. Like any worthwhile pursuit, it takes time, repetition, and sometimes a willingness to feel awkward or inadequate as we begin. Whether it’s prayer, worship, reading scripture, or serving others, these practices form the habits that anchor us in Christ, especially when life gets difficult or distractions threaten to pull us away.

It’s easy to be tempted by shortcuts or new philosophies that promise quick results or easier paths, but true spiritual growth comes from the slow, steady work of staying connected to Jesus. Even when we don’t feel like we’re making progress, or when our efforts seem small compared to others, God values our sincerity and persistence. Over time, these practices become second nature, shaping our hearts and lives in ways we may not even notice until we face challenges and realize our roots hold firm.

No one becomes an expert overnight, and God isn’t looking for perfection—just a willing heart and a desire to keep practicing. As we encourage one another, share our joys and struggles, and keep showing up for God and each other, we discover that faith, like any skill, grows stronger with practice. In all things, let us strive to stay in love with God, trusting that every small step draws us deeper into the life Christ offers.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Requires Practice, Not Perfection Just as mastering a Rubik’s Cube or maintaining a friendship takes repeated effort, growing in faith is a process that demands regular practice. We don’t need to be the best or compare ourselves to others; what matters is our willingness to keep trying, even when we feel inadequate or awkward. God values our persistence and sincerity over polished performance. [13:47]
2. Being Rooted in Christ Anchors Us Through Life’s Storms Paul’s encouragement to the Colossians to be “rooted and built up in him” is a reminder that deep spiritual roots are formed through consistent habits—prayer, worship, scripture, and service. These roots don’t grow overnight, but over time they provide stability and strength, especially when life gets hard or distractions arise. Staying rooted in Christ is the antidote to drifting away. [32:20]
3. Beware of Shortcuts and Shiny Distractions Human nature often seeks loopholes or quick fixes, whether in dieting or spirituality. But shortcuts rarely lead to lasting transformation. True growth comes from the slow, sometimes unglamorous work of daily faithfulness—choosing Christ over the latest trend or easy answer, and resisting the urge to settle for what simply fits our preferences. [31:18]
4. Habits Take Time to Form, But They Shape Who We Become Science and experience both show that forming new habits takes much longer than we might expect—sometimes months or even years. The regular practices of faith may feel awkward or ineffective at first, but over time they become part of who we are, equipping us to respond with faith and resilience when challenges come. Don’t be discouraged by slow progress; roots grow deep over time. [35:25]
5. God Cares More About Sincerity Than Skill Whether in prayer, worship, or any spiritual discipline, God is not impressed by eloquence or expertise but by authenticity and a genuine heart. Even if our efforts feel clumsy or inadequate, what matters most is that we show up and offer ourselves honestly to God. Over time, our confidence and comfort will grow, but God’s love and acceptance are already present from the start.

** [38:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:44] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[13:47] - Children’s Time: The Rubik’s Cube and Practice
[14:52] - The Value of Practice in Life and Faith
[15:48] - Practicing Prayer with the Children
[17:50] - Rubik’s Cube Giveaway and Community Engagement
[19:10] - Sharing Joys and Concerns
[22:30] - Congregational Prayer
[23:55] - The Lord’s Prayer
[26:06] - World Records and the Challenge of Mastery
[27:03] - Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:6-8
[28:17] - The Temptation to Drift and Seek New Things
[29:07] - The Snackwells Effect: Loopholes vs. Long-Term Growth
[32:20] - Staying Rooted in Christ and Wesley’s Third Rule
[33:10] - The Three Simple Rules and the Need for Practice
[35:25] - How Habits Form and the Power of Repetition
[36:26] - Learning to Pray and Growing in Confidence
[38:41] - Sincerity in Faith Over Skill
[39:35] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Practicing Faith Like a Rubik’s Cube

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### Bible Reading

Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

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### Observation Questions

According to Paul in Colossians 2:6-8, what are believers encouraged to do after receiving Christ Jesus as Lord?
What does Paul warn the Colossians about in verse 8? What kinds of things might “hollow and deceptive philosophy” refer to?
In the sermon, what everyday activities did the pastor compare to practicing faith? ([13:47])
What are some of the specific habits or practices mentioned in the sermon that help us stay rooted in Christ? ([32:20])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul uses the imagery of being “rooted and built up” in Christ? What does this suggest about the process of spiritual growth?
The pastor shared a story about feeling inadequate when praying out loud compared to others. What does this reveal about how we often measure our spiritual progress? ([37:21])
The sermon mentions that forming habits takes much longer than we expect—sometimes months or years. Why might God value slow, steady growth over quick results? ([35:25])
What does it mean to “stay in love with God” as described in the sermon, and how is this connected to the idea of practice? ([33:10])

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### Application Questions

The pastor said, “Anything worthwhile takes practice. That includes your faith.” What is one area of your faith (prayer, worship, reading scripture, serving, etc.) that you feel awkward or inadequate in? What is one small step you could take this week to practice it? ([14:52])
Paul warns against being taken captive by “hollow and deceptive philosophy.” Are there any “shortcuts” or “shiny distractions” in your life right now that are pulling you away from being rooted in Christ? How can you resist them? ([31:18])
The sermon emphasized that God cares more about sincerity than skill. When have you felt like your efforts in faith weren’t “good enough”? How does knowing God values your authenticity change your approach? ([38:41])
The pastor shared that it can take months or even years for faith habits to become second nature. Is there a spiritual habit you’ve tried to build but felt discouraged by slow progress? What would help you keep going? ([35:25])
The sermon talked about encouraging one another and sharing joys and struggles. Who in your life could you encourage this week in their faith journey? What’s a practical way you could do that? ([32:20])
The idea of “staying in love with God” was described as showing up for God and each other, even when it’s hard. What does “showing up” look like for you right now? Is there a commitment you want to renew or start? ([33:10])
Think about a time when you faced a challenge and realized your “roots” in Christ held you firm. What habits or practices helped you stay grounded during that time? How can you strengthen those roots now for future storms? ([32:20])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for persistence and sincerity in their faith practices, asking God to help them grow roots that hold firm through every season.

Sermon Clips

We all are capable of drifting away from our faith. We're all capable of drifting away of what we know to be true and settle for something that more easily fits what we want it to fit. [00:29:07] (18 seconds) #FaithDriftWarning

Paul knew he wasn't going to be there to help or guide these people in the church. And so he really taught them the one thing he said what helped them out. And that was to be rooted in Christ. He wanted to encourage them to be rooted in Christ. [00:32:15] (20 seconds) #RootedInChrist

I don't know if it ever becomes truly easy. But I do know that when it gets tough, that people who are truly rooted in Christ find it easier to overcome, to have faith, to weather the storm. I know for me that's true, too. [00:36:06] (25 seconds) #TryPrayerAnyway

God doesn't care. You know, God cares about your sincerity. That's all that matters. And I found that to be true. I could be confident in that. God didn't care about what I said specifically. He cared about where I came from and how sincere I was in my prayer, my authentic prayer. [00:38:27] (22 seconds) #StayInLoveWithGod

And so in any of these things, whether it's studying the Bible or joining a small group or coming to worship even, if you feel inadequate, I hope you encourage yourself to try anyway. Because what matters most to God is your intention. [00:39:08] (17 seconds)

And as you do it, you'll find that you become more comfortable with it and it becomes more a part of who you are. Like with a Rubik's Cube, anything worthwhile takes practice. That includes our marriages, our relationships, our work, our friendships, and our faith. Because practice makes perfect. [00:39:24] (28 seconds)

``May the God of grace and the God of glory be with you now and always. As we leave this place, remind yourself to stay in love with God. We hope to see you in worship and in prayer and in Bible study, so that together we may grow with one another in faith. [00:43:37] (15 seconds)

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Growing in Faith Through Practice and Persistence

Devotional

Day 1: Being Rooted and Built Up in Christ

Day 2: Practice Makes Perfect in Faith

Day 3: Sincerity Matters More Than Perfection

Day 4: Staying in Love with God Requires Intentional Habits

Day 5: Encouraging One Another in the Journey of Faith

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Growing in Faith Through Practice and Persistence

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